October 13, 2011
To Our Members:
The KVLA Board has been working hard on behalf of its members and we would like to convey the following to you:
1. We all need to be aware that mailings and offers from land agents and outside interests will be increasing from this point on. As interest in the Utica shale increases, so will the value of our land. Companies will be looking for us – we will not have to go looking for them. The main focus for a land agent is to get us to sign a lease ASAP so they can then “flip” the lease – sell it directly to an oil/drilling company – for their own financial gain. The Board has met with several of these companies and it is now our intention to only speak directly with oil/drilling companies and thereby bypass the middle man, or land agent. As the leasing heads in our direction, we are being contacted by more landsmen who would like to get “their share” of our lease bonus and royalty money. In this regard, we must all stay together in order to receive the true market value of our precious land.
2. We all need to be patient. The Board is in the process of drafting our own lease and getting digital maps of our member acreage in order to present them to the oil/drilling companies when we meet. In the meantime, it is imperative that every member contact their neighbors to join our group and get all the holes filled in wherever they may be. We want to present a map that has as much contiguous acreage as possible.
3. The Board plans to utilize the services of an attorney for the following: (1) Review our lease; and (2) prepare any amendments to the lease, if necessary, when in final negotiations. Other landowner groups we have contacted have negotiated these attorney fees to be paid directly by the oil company. Our strength in number will allow us to negotiate a lease that has the best compensation and protective package for us all.
4. Our landowners’ association is well organized and informed. This will be very helpful in negotiations.
5. Our website is another place where oil/drilling companies will be able to get more information on our group.
6. If you have any questions, please contact one of the Board members.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Please know that the KVLA Board is very diligent about doing the best possible job for all of us – we are ALL in this together.
Remember to be careful about talking with any land agents and please DO NOT sign ANY paperwork without legal representation. Once signed, you will not be able to change anything. We all want what is best for ourselves and our neighbors.
The Board of Trustees of the Killbuck Valley Landowners’ Association
Bob Hunter, President – 330.763.3992
Larry Coldwell, Vice President - 330.276.4151
Marcella Hawkins, Secretary - 330.465.6987
Casey Wagner, Treasurer - 330.763.1172
Bill Grassbaugh – 330.377.4176
Curt Mathie - 330.377.4223
David Noble – 330.264.8066
Matt Rohr – 330.763.4010
Wes Starker – 330.231.0272
Rick Weatherwax - 330.377.4412
Andy Weaver – 740.824.5577
Mission Statement: Killbuck Valley Landowners’ Association is a group of landowners in Holmes and Coshocton Counties seeking a collective bargain for the oil and gas rights beneath their land in order to maximize their economic return while also protecting the environmental integrity of their land, water, and air.
